This was the second Scenic cruise we were on. The first was so much better than the second. There were about 20 Americans and over 100 Brits, with the balance from Canada and one Australian couple. Before I get to the particulars of the cruise, I would like to bring up one important point, The Price. When we got to talking with the other cruisers, we found out that the Brits paid from one fourth to less than one half of what we paid for the cruise. That's right!!!

Now the cruise itself. No complaints about the cabin or the crew, both were great. However, there were some major problems on this cruise. First, they often ran out of certain food, like berries, cheese and other items that should have been available. Since we were docked almost all the days of the cruise, there was no excuse not to replenish food items. Secondly, they ran out of several spirits and wines. We were in France, home of wine. How do you run out of kinds of French wines? next the specialty restaurants were terrible. The first night we ate in one and the food was so salty, it was inedible. Besides the menu was nothing special. A few nights later we ate in the other specialty restaurant next to the lounge. The meal was rushed, dishes not explained, wines not offered and had to ask for them, meat was so tough we could not cut it. Finally, there was a cheese platter after, which the waiters did not offer. Only because we saw the platters standing around and we asked what that was, were we served.

Most of the excursions were good. However, we have never been to a winery for tastings where they do not offer a snack or something to have with the wines. Very strange and cheap. We complained to the hotel manager re all of our concerns, especially the vast difference in the price of the cruise. He was very nice and said he would contact the main office. A few days later he said the main office said they understood and would do something. So far no word at all. It seems as though the management was trying to skimp dramatically on this cruise. Save money, no one will notice. Well, we have sailed five or six times on Uniworld, once on Tauck and never had this occur. As I said, this was very disappointing and cannot be dismissed. As for us, if we are spending this kind of money, while the rest of the cruisers are getting the same benefits for one fourth to one half of our price, I would rather do river cruises with Tauck and Uniworld, where we know we will be treated equally and have a cruise that was worth the money.